𝐕𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐄, ᵇʳᶦᵈᵍᵉʳᵗᵒⁿ

After the loss of her husband, 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 returns home to London to be closer with her family ━ and to escape the pain of the past. Love and rejoining society are the last thing on her mind ━ until she meets the brooding 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭, 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ━ her brother's best friend. Both determined to avoid the pressures of courtship, they strike a deal: a fake romance to keep the ton and her meddling family at bay. But as staged glances turn into lingering touches and clever banter becomes something far more dangerous, Aveline finds herself torn between pride and passion. In a world ruled by reputation and restraint, she must decide if she's willing to risk her heart again after a difficult loss... even if it means falling for the one man who vowed he'd never marry.

simon basset (changed fc) x oc

[ season one ]
[ started october 26, 2025 ]
[ status: on-going ]